College Football Running Back Power Rankings: Week 9

Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs past Mississippi Rebels linebacker DeMarquis Gates (3) during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 21, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) runs for a second quarter touchdown against the San Jose State Spartans at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

When you lead the nation in rushing, you’re going to be considered one of the best running backs in college football. Unfortunately for San Diego State’s Donnel Pumphrey, I can’t quite put him at No. 1 on this list.

Yes, what Pumphrey has done this season is spectacular. He’s run for 1,246 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging an impressive 6.5 yards per carry. However, a lot of this production has come against weaker programs like a 1-7 Fresno State and a 2-6 San Jose State in their last two games.

Considering he’s coming from a program that currently boasts only five active NFL players (with the most recognizable being Ronnie Hillman), Pumphrey should be thrilled with how his senior season is going. Still, despite all of the success he’s had, there’s still one other running back in college football that’s been more dominant when he’s been on the field.

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